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Devolution is slowly Tory-proofing Scotland

Kenny Farquharson

Cuts that so incensed Scots could not be imposed now, but new powers carry a risk for the SNP

When new powers were devolved from Westminster to Holyrood in 2016 almost all the attention was concentrated on MSPs taking control of income tax. This was hardly surprising; there are 2.52 million taxpayers in Scotland and each one has a personal interest in how this power is used.

The other powers won by Holyrood were all but ignored. Even now, few people are aware of them. And yet one of these powers, due to come into force this summer, will touch the lives of 1.4 million Scots, and often in ways that will make a profound difference. I am talking about the devolution of welfare powers to the Scottish parliament. Holyrood will soon be in charge of £3.3 billion of benefits at present the responsibility…

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